Cheryl A. Head's Blog

Kris Zgorski recommended me (because he knows I adore Sondheim works) when Josh Pachter (editor extraordinaire) initiated one of his themed anthologies: this time to connect crime fiction short stories to Stephen Sondheim songs.

I came late to the anthology and many of my fav Sondheim musicals were already assigned.  So presented with the choice of two remaining plays (I wasn’t familiar with either), I chose a show that had used four different names over the course of its 14-year development.

Wise Guys or Gold or Bounce —book by John Weidman, finally landed on the title Road Show. The musical follows the “follies” of  the colorful Mizner brothers, Wilson and Addison, a turn-of-the-century duo chasing the American Dream through a series of enterprises, escapades and scams.  

I listened to every song (IMO none were leave-the-theater-whistling ditties); and read about each iteration of the show (the brothers had been played by the likes of Nathan Lane, and Victor Garber). Of course, Sondheim’s brilliant lyrics sparkle like poetry on the page, but ultimately Road Show is a story about greed, ambition, and the love and conflict of brothers. The Addison character is queer, and I have no proof, but as I researched the origins and tribulations of this show, I wondered if it floundered because it invoked Sondheim's conflicts about his own homosexuality.

My short story-Brotherly Love-is a departure from the show's book. And I took a murderous liberty with the story. Ultimately it’s a tale as old as time (thank you, Angela Lansbury)—Biblical times. Check it out (along with many wonderful and surprising stories-including a fun and twisty one from Kris) in Every Day a Little Death: Crime fiction inspired by the songs of Stephen Sondheim. Publication date: March 22, 2025 from Level Best Books

Every single day I remind myself that despite any residence in the White House, our country originated on the principal of a government for, by and of the people. Even as federal actions attempt to turn Americans away from the power and purpose of diversity, equity and inclusion, citizens can resist these fear-based efforts.

I'm working with a small group of mystery writers who have created an auction to raise funds for the Transgender Law Center  (TLC) in Oakland, CA. The auction is timed to coincide with the Transgender Day of Visibility in March. 

TLC is on the front lines in challenging state and federal legislation and policies to remove protections for Trans people.  Most of their work is legal advocacy, but they also partner with grassroot groups to provide leadership training for LGBTQI+ youth so they can become their own best advocates.  And we applaud the work of this well-respected, 501 c 3 organization.

I hope you'll consider participating in our auction--as a donor or a bidder. Because as state's and our government focuses on Trans erasure, we the people can show our solidarity with a community that needs our allyship and support.

Please use this link to fill out the auction donation form: https://bit.ly/TransRightsAuction   

All instructions re: filling out the form are also at the link (it takes about 10 minutes)  Please submit donation (s) by March 1st. 

And to see the Crime Writers for Trans Rights, go here: https://www.32auctions.com/writers4transrights

I'm always happy to be in a library. Whether seeking a quiet space to research or read, or visiting an out-of-town library just for the feel and smell of it, or to participate in a book event.

In late summer, I spent most of the day in the famous Stephen A. Schwarzman Library in NYC (you know, the one with the lions guarding the place out front). It's a lovely and peaceful place to write, research, and think.

On the first weekend of October, I visited Richmond, VA for the James River Writers Conference where I was a panelist. Across the street from my Inn was the downtown public library. I hurriedly unpacked my bags and headed there. What a beautiful, and welcoming place it was. I did a bit of research (for a Western I'm writing), and of course, I checked the aisles for my most recent book. I was gleeful when I found it, and one of the wonderful librarians offered to pose with it.

Later in October, I made a quick trip to St. Petersburg, Florida to see my mother. While there I couldn't resist making dinner reservations at a lovely eatery called The Library. The décor was fun and the food delicious. And, of course there were shelves of books everywhere. I highly recommend.

In early November, on a Saturday afternoon, I had the pleasure of doing a presentation about Time's Undoing at the Enoch Pratt Central Library for their Writers Live! program. I used a PowerPoint to talk about my inspiration and journey in writing this very personal book based on a 90-year old tragedy in my family. The very engaging audience (and terrific staff at the library) made this a very memorable event for me.

Coming Up...

In a couple of weeks, I've agreed to teach a Mystery Writing Workshop at a neighborhood DC Public Library. This free event will introduce writers and others to my process for writing, and help those thinking of writing a mystery of their own with some practical (and I hope encouraging) words of advice. Plus there will be writing exercises! I love supporting emerging writers.

Finally, I'm very excited for an event I'm scheduled for in 2025. In May, at the Martin Luther King Library in downtown DC, I'll participate in an event commemorating George Floyd on the five-year anniversary of his tragic death. Time's Undoing is about the death of a Black man, at the hands of the police, in Birmingham Alabaman in 1929. The novel was inspired, in part, by Floyd's murder. I'll talk about the role of the Black Lives Movement in shedding light on this very troubling, and chronic, tragedy in too many Black communities.

More to come on this event. Part of DC Public Library's

Our City, Our Stories project.

Oh, and did I say I love libraries?

Grateful for my nom for the Sue Feder Memorial Award (Historical Fiction)

and in superb company!!

...and last week, this happened. Happy Dance!!

I'm very, very pleased that my story of a young, journalist's investigation into a black man's death in Jim Crow Alabama is resonating with readers. Based, in part, on a true incident in my family, this imagining of the last days of the journalist's great-grandfather, and her ultimate discovery of the truth, is just a tiny example of the myriad stories of America's social justice history. If one can be proud and humble at the same time, I am. I'm also grateful.

Preorder for the paperback (publishing on February 27, 2024 is available now.